Episode 15
Everything seemed big to Hwa So-mi. It was partly because he was smaller than other children, but because he was still young, everything felt bigger than him.
The front yard of the manor.
Hwa So-mi there was staring at the pine tree. Thick roots buried deep in the ground and their majestic appearance.
The sight of the pine trees stretching out their branches in all directions was so amazing that it was impossible to capture it at a glance.
When I look at this pine tree, I think of the strong back of a person who never seems to fall.
Hwa So-mi left the pine trees behind and prepared to leave Juseomju Island. I was planning to go out with Danwoohyeon today. I’ve had a hard day recently because of martial arts training, but it was fun to take a break from training and go outside for the first time in a while.
“where are you going?”
“Well, if you follow the stem, something will come out.”
Hua Xiaomi nodded slightly.
She didn’t know where to tell. Originally, Hwa So-mi’s home before she became an orphan was about three hours away from Agyang, but if you were to ask her to go back now, she would shake her head and say it was impossible.
It wasn’t easy to memorize such a complicated route, and the only places she could go to were near the manor and the capital, so there was no need for her to remember other routes.
So I was very excited today.
Going a little further away from the manor was also an opportunity to see new places.
With sparkling eyes, he followed Dan Woo-hyeon.
“Uncle Jong, won’t you come with us?”
“Those guys”… um…”
were three people who were always together. Jang Sam-tae occasionally ran errands, but other than that, he was almost always there. Therefore, I felt somewhat lonely unless I was walking with three people.
Moreover, if I had Jang Samtae, I could make anything…
and it was nice because I could eat delicious food.
“He told me to watch the manor today.
“There is nothing better than going together.”
” to?”
What does it mean that there is nothing good?
Hwa So-mi had to think deeply. He placed his small hand on his cheek. I could feel the thick cheeks, but I guess I’m used to it now and don’t feel anything strange.
I walked like that.
After seeing the flowers and trees, I walked along the stream flowing from Dongjeong Lake for a while. I was sweating profusely from walking around for over two hours, and even walking was now difficult.
But Dan Woo-hyeon never stopped.
He was ahead and did not help Hwa So-mi in the slightest.
Just like when Dan Woo-hyeon left Hwa So-mi’s side in the past, Hwa So-mi felt like she would never see him again if he disappeared like this, so Hwa So-mi took a powerful step forward.
So as not to miss Dan Woo-hyeon, who is ahead.
I didn’t even whine because it was hard.
I felt like I would be abandoned forever if I did that.
No, I even had an uneasy feeling that today might be the last time I see Dan Woo-hyeon’s back on this road in front of me.
“What are you doing? “If you stop because you’re tired, you won’t be able to exercise.”
“Woo”… exercise?”
“No, it’s nothing. Let’s go a little further. “There is a small village near here, so I think you can rest there.”
Hua Xiaomi nodded vigorously.
The soft tone of voice blew away all the fire. Hwa So-mi took small steps even more vigorously and quickly followed Dan Woo-hyeon.
But Hwa So-mi looked around and remembered something. It feels like a place I’ve been to before. As I focused on each and every scene I saw, familiarity soon brought out memories that had been sleeping on the other side of my memory.
“Oh, I’ve been here with my mom before.”
“Hoo? “You mean here?”
Hua Xiaomi nodded slightly.
Eventually, I looked around and reminisced about the past. It was a long way from holding my mother’s hand as a child.
Apparently, this village is said to be blessed by immortals, so they came to make a wish.
Somi also prayed.
I ask that both parents live well without worries.
As those memories came to mind, I smiled involuntarily.
“What are you famous for?”
“Umm! Somi remembers that it is definitely a village where a god came down…”.”
“I heard that.”
Dan Woohyun chuckled.
People thought that immortals could do anything. In fact, all they did was to travel around the world and plant these kinds of plants for fun when they got tired of eating and drinking.
‘He’s good at hitting people in the back.’
He wiggled his eyebrows and tried to resolve his stiff expression.
If it had not been for such a surprise attack, they would never have been defeated so easily. Those who were called the Eight Immortals may have become the Seven Immortals or the Six Immortals.
However, if you try to ruminate over the past, you will only end up with regrets.
“Do you think Shinseon is cool?”
“Well, I don’t know about Somi. Oh, I think you’re the coolest guy in the world and I like him hehehe.”
He burst out into a flawless smile and quietly clung to his side. As if he didn’t want to fall from Dan Woo-hyeon’s side, he stretched out his small hand and grabbed his finger.
Dan Woo-hyeon also did not shake it off and caught it naturally. Even his eyes became soft and it was as if he was looking at a different person.
“I think we’re almost there now.”
It’s finally a village.
Hwa So-mi exclaimed, “Wow!” It made me smile as the image of the village in my memory was revealed.
It was really amazing.
Nothing has changed.
Appearance of a small village As the story goes, it is a village where a hermit came down, and the village scenery was well decorated as if you were looking at Mureungdowon.
Bright flowers were in full bloom all over the place, and the scent of the flowers carried through every time the wind blew.
The village seemed to be having a festival, and the sound of wind music was loud.
It was a place that satisfied the eyes and ears, and even the sense of smell was full of pleasure. It felt incredibly lively for a small town.
But something was strange.
I couldn’t see what was supposed to be there.
In fact, there is a reason why this town became famous.
It’s a big pine tree.
I remember that the pine tree, which was said to have been planted by a hermit, was located in the middle of the village and people made wishes there.
But it wasn’t there now.
The village was as beautiful as ever, but there was nothing to fill the empty space where the pine trees had disappeared.
Even the villagers passing by could be seen sighing softly as they looked toward the disappeared pine tree.
“uh? “There are no trees.”
” Yes?”
“There used to be a tree here… a big pine tree.”
“That”… that’s right.”
Dan Woo-hyeon secretly looked up at the sky.
It was unusually clear today.
It’s been a long time since I passed the level of invulnerability to the Chinese and Western countries, so why am I breaking into a cold sweat?
“Little lady, have you come to see the pine tree?”
“yes? Ah yes.”
A passing villager looked at Hwa So-mi and asked politely: Looking at the bright expression on his face as he answered, I shook my head somewhat bitterly.
“I’m sorry. “The pine tree was stolen a few months ago.”
“yes? That thing was really big…”
“That’s right. In the village, they say that the immortal took it again… Oh, anyway, there was a lot of chaos here because of that.”
“Hehe… hehe…” Hwa So-mi lowered her head with a sullen expression. It seemed like he was heartbroken that one of his precious memories with his mother was gone.
I looked at Woohyun with tears in my eyes.
“Was it really stolen? Or did Shin Seon take it back?”
“I think someone who needed it, whether it was a messenger or a thief, would have taken it. Wouldn’t that pine tree be happier than if it were all there in a village like this?
“Yes… I really hope so!” At that moment, Hwa So-mi smiled brightly. Although he was saddened by the unfortunate loss of his memories, he thought it would be better if he could live happily in a better place with pine trees.
Hwa So-mi also felt greater happiness being by Dan Woo-hyeon’s side like this than living a wandering life.
As the child smiled brightly, Dan Woo-hyeon stroked his head.
Hwa So-mi felt as if all her sorrow for the missing pine tree was blown away with just that. I had a small wish in my heart that these happy times would continue without end.
* * *
He was about eight feet tall and had thick muscles and a bushy beard.
A sword left nearby hinted that this man was no ordinary person.
The man sat on a large chair and blew on his foot.
Everyone around them held their breath.
No one dared to open their mouth.
Eventually, he completely emptied the bottle of alcohol and threw it roughly on the floor.
Kwachang-!
flinch-!
Everyone flinched.
That’s how scared I was of this man in front of me.
There are two organizations that are most feared by those operating in the shadows.
One is Heuksalmun (黑殺門).
It is a place that breeds great assassins who do
not know where they are hiding and who can even aim for the life of the Murim Lord if they receive a request.
And another one is the Black Taoist Association (黑度會).
They should not be ignored just because they are a group of ronin. It is no exaggeration to say that these rogues are perhaps the scariest beings in the central plains.
They are more numerous than the beggars of the opening, and their information power is comparable to that of the opening, Haomun, or famous merchants.
But does that mean their skills are low?
no.
I don’t know about others, but the people here right now are all experts who have reached the peak, and they are strong enough to compare with figures from prestigious families or old factions.
And the head of this company’s black club, Sa Ma-chan（司=.
He was the one who actually led the Black Demon Society. He was also the idol of the ronin people and was called King Nang (浪王).
“Changbai Mountain”….”
“ Q ……”
—r…..*
“Do you know how much money these little guys give us every year?”
“Wh-… of course hahana…-.”
“We lost contact with the Honam branch… and the people who went to catch Jang Sam-tae.”
bang-!
As he spoke, Sima Chan’s eyes burned brightly with anger. The quietest place so far was Honam.
Because there was no significant force and there was no better place to move.
In addition, thanks to the chaotic Changbaek Mountain, the number of climbers was significantly reduced, so the income coming in was also superior to the Honam region.
But suddenly, one incident after another occurred.
Changbai Mountain and Xiao Chuyan were captured, and not long ago, even the Hunan branch collapsed.
“There is someone. “There is someone who is interfering with us.”
“You are correct.”
A man nodded, wiping away his cold sweat. Most of the people here right now are probably thinking the same thing.
No matter how twisted it was, things wouldn’t happen all at once like this, so it was clear that someone had planned it.
“I’m very curious who that guy is.”
“Joe.”… we will take action.”
“A guy named Jang Sam-tae who tried to make a deal with the county governor and So Chu-yeom. Catch these two guys and watch them. “Something will definitely come out.”
“number of people!”
Sima Chan withdrew his grim eyes and raised his head upward. Even though I could only see the high ceiling, why did it feel like it was particularly dark today?
I felt strangely unwell.
Sima Chan frowned and reached for the bottle again to shake off this discomfort.
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